The company cut its estimate of adjusted net income per diluted share for the quarter to a range of $0.43 to $0.53 from a range of $0.58 to $0.63, and lowered its forecast for 2012 to a range of $2.65 to $2.75, down from $2.80 to $2.85. Silgan had earnings of $2.63 a share in 2011.

"While volumes for metal food containers are still anticipated to be higher in the fourth quarter of 2012 as compared to the same period in 2011, they will be lower than we had expected," Tony Allott, president and CEO, said in a statement. "Additionally, product mix and manufacturing costs have lagged our expectations during the fourth quarter, partly as a result of costs associated with hurricane Sandy which caused the extended shutdown of two facilities. Since the fourth quarter is one of our slowest seasonal periods, lower than anticipated volumes have a significant impact on the ability to absorb manufacturing overhead costs."

As a consequence of the revised estimates, the company extended the expiration date of its $250 million stock buyback program to Feb. 5, five business days after Silgan reports earnings for the year.

Shares of Silgan, which is traded on Nasdaq, fell 4 percent to $42.75. That compares with a 52-week range of $37.29 and $45.12.